He wasn't anything 'fantastic' back in his day either!

Smith was a key player for the Wallabies from 2000–2009.

He is often voted Players' Player of the Year,[1] awarded for fair-play by his team mates and officials. He has recently been chosen as a member of the Wallaby Team of the Decade, a remarkable feat considering his age and one of only three current players picked. In 2002, he was the first recipient of the John Eales Medal, awarded by the Australian Rugby Union and the Rugby Union Players' Association to their Player of the Year.[2]

He won Australian Super 14 Player of the Year four years in a row between 2006 and 2009.[3]

In 2007 the breakdown specialist capped off another remarkable season claiming awards including: the Brett Robinson Award as the Brumbies' Players' Player for the fifth consecutive year;[4] Super 14 Player of the Year;[5] and the Rugby Union Players' Association 'Rugby Medal for Excellence'. These recognitions underlined his position as one of rugby's most respected players, reinforced further when he became the Wallabies 75th captain, against Canada at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

2008 was a big year for Smith. He captained the Brumbies and the Wallabies and became the first player to win the John Eales Medal, twice. In addition, Smith won the "Super 14 Player of the Year Award", for the third consecutive year and the Brett Robinson Award as the Brumbies' Players' Player of the year for the sixth consecutive year.[6]

He also reached a personal milestone during the season, when he made his 100th Super Rugby appearance against the Cheetahs in round six. In a memorable double for the Smith family, George's younger brother, Brumbies teammate Tyrone, was named rookie of the year. In the international arena, the older Smith also became both the most capped flanker and the most capped forward – the latter being previously held by John Eales.

George Smith was a great player, at his best he could match Richie McCaw, the greatest loosie I have ever seen. But he is past that now and his resurrection was a sign of panic.

I expected the Lions to win by around 7-10 points, but never thought they would rip the Wallabies apart. Deans must go now surely.

I wouldn't worry too much about them playing the All Blacks, they always lift their game against the old enemy. But if they can't play better than last night, it will be one helluva shellacking.

France aren't a shade on the British Lions...who could very easily have lost the series. 

Expect the bledisloe to be fiercely contested, as usual. 

Only 3 or 4 years too late. 

Ewen McKenzie has been appointed Wallabies coach, with reports the announcement will be made official by the ARU tomorrow.

It is understood that he will take the reins immediately, having been given the task of forging a squad and gameplan for the Rugby Championship and will coach the side until at least the 2015 World Cup.

The announcement comes as a result of the ARU deciding to release Robbie Deans from his two-year contract extension six months before it was due to finish.

Bobby. wrote on Jul 9^th, 2013 at 12:34am:


Because he'd been at it 6 or 7 years, and hadn't shown any improvement. 

2013 Steinlager Series

Recent Results
08/Jun All Blacks v France Auckland 7:35 pm 23-13


15/Jun All Blacks v France Christchurch 7:35 pm 30-0


22/Jun  All Blacks v France New Plymouth 7:35 pm  24-9